HollyWeird: Disney Bows to China – and ‘The Rock’ for President?

Editor’s Note: Whether on screen or off, Hollywood can always be counted on to keep us entertained. This is especially true when it comes to politics. Join us each week as we shine the spotlight on Tinseltown’s A-listers and their wacky and sometimes inspiring takes on today’s current events.

“The Rock” for President? But on Which Side?

Dwayne Johnson, also fondly known as “The Rock,” has previously mentioned an interest in running for a political office such as governor or even president. And, former White House Chief of Staff Mick Mulvaney thinks he’d have a good chance at it, even against Ron DeSantis (R-FL) and former President Donald Trump. “Gov. [Ron] DeSantis could give [Trump] a run for his money,” Mulvaney said. “Tim Scott [R-SC] can give him a run for his money. Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson could give him a run for his money.”

In 2021, Johnson told USA Today:

“I would consider a presidential run in the future if that’s what the people wanted. Truly I mean that, and I’m not flippant in any way with my answer. That would be up to the people … So, I would wait, and I would listen. I would have my finger on the pulse, my ear to the ground.”

Well, according to a poll from April 2021, people do want Johnson to run for president. Piplsay, a consumer research platform, conducted a nationwide survey and the results showed that 58% of those questioned said they would like to see The Rock run for president and Matthew McConaughey run for governor of Texas.

The poll surveyed 30,138 Americans and 63% of them feel Hollywood stars “can make good politicians with the right attitude and support staff.” The respondents were also asked which actors they would vote for to be president and Tom Hanks led the way for the men with 22% of the vote, followed by – ahem – Will Smith at 21%. George Clooney and Dwayne Johnson both received 17%. Of the women, Angelina Jolie received the most votes with 30% with Oprah Winfrey coming in at second with 27%. Dolly Parton made a good showing in third place with 12%.

The American people aren’t shy about electing celebrities. From Clint Eastwood as a California mayor to  Ronald Reagan and Donald Trump as commanders-in-chief, it seems politics is another stage on which to showcase their talents. Will The Rock be next? And if so, which side of the aisle will he be representing? Although he has ties to Republican campaigns, he also supported the Joe Biden/Kamala Harris 2020 ticket. He hasn’t really been public about his stance on political issues and has described himself as a “political independent and centrist.”

Cheers and Jeers

Sometimes, HollyWeird players make headlines for silly or bizarre happenings, so here is a collection of newsworthy doings — honorable and dishonorable — by the tenants of Tinseltown.

Johnny Depp Back in Court

Johnny Depp is back in court to fight his ex-wife Amber Heard for defamation of character over allegations that he abused her during their marriage. In 2018, The Sun called “Captain Jack Sparrow” a “wife-beater” in an article. Depp sued, but lost the case, and then was asked to step down from his role as Gellert Grindelwald in Fantastic Beasts 3. Now, he is suing Heard for $50 million, claiming she libeled him in an article for a prominent Washington newspaper in 2018. Heard is retaliating and suing Depp for $100 million for defamatory statements she claims Depp’s attorney, Adam Waldman, made against her.

Fantastic Beasts Removes Gay Reference for China

Fans of the Harry Potter franchise know that there was a past relationship between Albus Dumbledore (Jude Law) and Gellert Grindelwald (Mads Mikkelsen), but China doesn’t want to know abut it. Warner Bros. has announced that it removed six seconds of dialogue from Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore to get rid of references of their past romantic relationship. “We want audiences everywhere in the world to see and enjoy this film, and it’s important to us that Chinese audiences have the opportunity to experience it as well, even with these minor edits,” A Warner Bros. spokesperson said in a statement to The Hollywood Reporter.

Cuba Gooding Jr Pleads Guilty

Actor Cuba Gooding Jr on April 13 pleaded guilty to one count of forceable touching. He admitted that in September 2018, he forcibly kissed a woman in a nightclub, and subjected two other women in October 2018 and June 2019 to non-consensual physical contact. The terms of the plea deal will mean no jail time as long as the Oscar winner complies with the restrictions. He must continue treatment he started in 2019 for alcohol and behavior modification for another six months. He can then replead the harassment in the second degree for a sentence of time served. However, if he violates the terms, Gooding could face a year in jail. His next court date is scheduled for October 13.

Tune in next week to see what else Tinseltown has planned.